ACLU: Legit Muslim charities targeted

WASHINGTON, June 16 (UPI) -- American Muslims' right to practice their religion through charitable giving has been undermined by U.S. terrorism financing policies, civil libertarians say.

The American Civil Liberties Union contends in a report released Monday the U.S. fight against terrorism has had the effect of "seriously undermining" American Muslims' constitutionally protected ability to carry out their religious obligation of zakat, in which they are required to make charitable donations.

The report says U.S. officials have in some cases found real links between U.S. Muslim charities and terror groups. But the ACLU contends in its report, "Blocking Faith, Freezing Charity," that the secret processes the United States uses to determine links between charities and terrorism "are neither fair nor effective" and have at times spelled the end of religious groups providing legitimate humanitarian aid, hurting U.S. national security.

In interviews with more than 100 American Muslim leaders, the ACLU said it has found that many such charities are being mistakenly targeted and abused by law enforcement officials.